Vandy: halal certified food options integral to growth
SPECIALIST Muslim tour operators in Cambodia have welcomed government plans to finalise a draft law on halal food certification.
Minister of commerce Pan Sorasak said the finishing touches were now being added before the law is presented to the Council of Ministers for approval.
The move hopes to attract a steadily growing number of visitors from the Middle East. Although currently low, latest figures from the Ministry of Tourism show a 24.5 per cent hike to 7,144 travellers in 1Q2016 compared to the same period last year.
Ho Vandy, co-chairman of a government-private sector working group on tourism, said providing halal certified food was essential for growth of the market, since few restaurants cater to Muslim tourists.
Hassan Mao, manager of Cambodian Muslim Tour, said many of the current halal offerings did not comply with regulations, such as using separate oil to fry meat. “Halal food can be difficult to explain but it is very important to attract Muslim tourists,” he said.
Agreeing, Imran Kao, manager of Cambodia Halal Tourism, said: “It is positive for Muslim travellers if there is more Halal food available in Cambodia.”
Qatar Airways provides the only direct flight to Cambodia from the Middle East.
